ShariBolton3E5

Production L402 Payment Protocol Use Cases

CharleneGomezMCF

90% of wannabe routers are just playing a PvP MMO where they steal from each other while pretending they're all helping Bitcoin together.

On a long enough timeline, unfit nodes either give up or become profitable/useful.

The best routers are also merchant/service nodes and routing profit is just byproduct of having a large active node that people want to pay (for goods and services).

This is how it ought to be! Nodes specialized in routing alone are just trying to be middlemen/rent seekers.

Bitcoin Myths Demystified

PennyMilesD8H

econ

Why did Satoshi choose to publish the Bitcoin Whitepaper on Halloween?

GeorgeOlsonUH6

I took a job as a delivery driver so I could listen to audio books all day. I think I've been through at least 20 in the few months I've been there.

I often need to listen again, especially if they're complex. And the best of them I'll have to buy the paperback at some point 

RoboSats 101 | Bitcoin.Guide

The ZEUS v0.8.0 open beta is here

RachelHooverSQ3

OR just make something else from scratch using these sprites and some other cowboy themes. I've been trying to find something to do with this horribly out of tune (can't figure out if my whistling or bugling is worse here), and therefore authentic, western theme song for years.

https://soundcloud.com/jason-b/ags-western-competition-tune?in=jason-b/sets/commercial-music

...you've reached the wasteland...the end of route 404...solitude and sandworms...through the looking glass of despair and into a world devoid of zaps, sats, and cowboy hats...a world waiting for you to conquer!

ok, sorry, i'm done...but still pretty serious about all that


## Background

My thesis is that the state is a false god. An invisible deity in the minds of most citizens. It is invisible just like water is to a fish. Like air is to humans. We don't think about it. It just is. I don't recall where I first heard the idea that the state is a deity[^1]. But I recall it being one of those red pill moments for me. Something that changed the perspective I had on many things both internal and external. It led me into some deep soul searching. At the time I had been opposed to the actions of the government for many years. I was a fan of Ron Paul. I believed the US government was evil. But I had never connected how the state sets itself up like a deity. I was reminded of this today when I heard a tradfi person say that bitcoin is not money unless the government says it is and forces it on the people. Of course this is false. There are disagreements on the definitions of money and I'm not here to debate that. It just reminded me of the place the state holds in the minds of most people.

## The Indoctrination

Think about this. When I was a kid attending a government school each day we would pledge allegiance to the flag. We had pictures of the presidents on the wall. We would take field trips to the state buildings where governance would take place. A large percentage of the time was spent on trying to turn out good citizens. Think about all the monuments to presidents and founding fathers. Think about how people view the Constitution. I have heard it referred to as a sacred text many times. Its one of those things you just don't notice because it is the reality you are born into. Its what your parents were born into. The invisible deity.

## The Red Pill

The state as deity is something you can't un-see. When you begin to view the state through the lens of it being a god many things become clear. You begin to see this belief in politicians who propose ridiculous legislation that defies logic. You can understand why events like J6 create such emotional reactions in true believers. You can see why people would rally and put themselves in harms way for a man that doesn't defend them. One side contests an election and does so with such fervor because they believe the deity has been perverted. The opposing side can't stomach their precious halls of government, their institutions being disgraced by such vile people. It is a very religious response. Very emotional.

## Both Parties in US

For progressives the central aspect seems to be the idea of democracy. With conservatives it seems to be patriotism. The idea of some ideal past that we need to go back to. But really from my perspective, for both its about power. The best analogy I've ever heard is the ring of power from "The Lord of the Rings". Both sides want the ring of power (the state) to bring about their vision for the world. It is their central focus. They both wrap this desire for power in good motives but the state eventually corrupts anyone that tries to use it just like the ring of power.

## Defining Some Terms

When I get pulled into a discussion about politics or the government I usually get push back on my view of the state. The problem usually comes from how most people view a few terms. Most do not separate the state from government or governance. It is also common for nation and country to be combined with the government. With that in mind let me define how I am using these terms. I didn't come up with these definitions but they make sense to me and are pretty widely accepted among libertarians and anarchists. You are free to disagree but if you want to understand what I am putting down here this is the context.

My definitions

- A government is the functional regulator of activities. It could be a private company in free market or a state with a monopoly on violence.
- A nation is the people untied by common roots either ethnically, historically, or by choice
- A country is the geographical land controlled by a state or government body.
- A state is an institution with a monopoly on violence over a geographical area, typically a country.

## Lies the State Tells Us

A couple misconceptions about the state are that law and money[^2] cannot exist outside of the state. Both predate the state. Another is that the state defines morality. Illegal does not equal immoral. Legal does not equal moral. For most people groups their morals are defined by their deities. Many people speak about the state in ways that can only be parallel by the way people talk about deities. The Christian God spoke the world into existence. It is this power of the word that is the focus of my thought here. When people push back on "Taxation is Theft" position, what they are really saying is that the state defines what is right and what is wrong. In every other situation taking something by force is called theft. But when the state does the same thing, it is not theft. It is taxes. Not only should you pay them but it is morally wrong not to pay them. Most Christians in the US hold this view[^3]. When the state kills someone it is not murder. I'm not referring to war here. I'm referring to the targeted killings of US citizens that are _suspected_ to be terrorists. This happened under Obama and I suspect it has continued. Think about the how the state enforcement arm, the police live under a different set of rules than you and I. The state makes its own rules, breaks the rules and never pays for its crimes.

## A Note For Christians

Before king Saul the children of Israel were governed by judges. But God was their king. They were not ruled by a man. There was no state. There was law, judges, and Jehovah. In 2st Samuel the people tell Samuel they want a king. I think we forget what this was actually about.

> ...Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

1 Samuel 8:5-7 ESV

I was recently reading this passage and "they have rejected me from being their king over them" jumped out at me. Wow. When I see Christian's getting so passionate about presidential candidates I can't help but think they are doing the same thing that God pointed out in this passage. I'm not only talking about those that support Trump and believe he will "save this country". I'm also referring to those that think he must be stopped. It sure seems like the faith is being placed in a man and not God. Or put more precisely, the position and control over it instead of God. 

Lest you think that I'm being unfair. I discovered this idolatry in my own heart many years ago. We are born into it. It is not easy to shake. I can say that I viewed politics and the state as most Christians do today. I have no claim to righteousness. Thank God for his grace.

## Closing

I ask you to take a look at how you view the state. Does it function as a deity in your thoughts? I'm not saying we should overthrow the state. I think I'm incredibly fortunate to live in the US in this time. For all its flaws the United States in 2024 is a much better place to live than most places and times in history. I love the American people. I love our country. I think many of the ideals of the founding fathers were admirable. But we need to see the state for what it is. A false god. It does not grant rights. Its word doesn't create things. It cannot ban math. It cannot create money. It cannot make immoral actions right or just. Without the people's belief it would cease to exist. Stop believing in this false god.

[^1]: It may have been the School Sucks podcast but I'm not sure.
[^2]: I recommend "The Bitcoin Standard" as a good primer on the history of money.
[^3]: After all, Jesus said "render to Caesar what is Caesar's". I do not believe Jesus was intending for us to believe Caesar is good and moral. Jesus also commanded we love our enemies and if someone takes our shirt we should also give them our coat. He said to turn the other cheek as well. Do we then read into these statements that the actions of our enemies are morally correct? Or is it more about how we respond to evil. I believe it is the latter. That said, lying on your taxes is a different matter. This is clearly morally wrong.


Bitcoin isn't Money and Other Lies from the Invisible Deity: The State

The debate surrounding drivechains has been heating up, with proponents employing various tactics to garner support. This divisive issue echoes previous disputes in the Bitcoin community, such as the 2017 block size controversy. As such, we should consider what was then the definitive resolution: a chain split.

A significant portion of the Bitcoin community rejects drivechains, effectively blocking its implementation via a soft fork. Bitcoin's voluntary nature makes it resistant to hostile takeovers, despite claims that miners could force the change. Disagree with that last statement? Then let's put that to the test. We can resolve this posturing and propaganda by forking the code. 

Here's how it would work: Code implementing drivechains would be released. Those who support the proposal can run this code. A transaction that goes against drivechain rules but adheres to pre-drivechain rules will trigger a chain split. Those running the drivechain software wouldn't be doing anything, but nodes that aren't can reject the drivechain chain by using the "invalidateblock" command. The result will be two distinct Bitcoins: one with drivechains and one without.

This approach was resolved the conflict we had in August 2017, when Bitcoin Cash split off from Bitcoin. Similarly, proponents and opponents of drivechains can either hold or sell their respective Bitcoins post-split. This would be a real-world test of control and game theory within the network.

I advocate for this split not just for potential profits, but also because it's a peaceful solution. It would let us see in real time how convicted the drivechain people are. Will drivechain miners support it if it means mining at a loss? A chain split would serve as a critical learning opportunity for the community, providing a clear answer to the ongoing debate. Ultimately, this will strengthen Bitcoin by showing the market how hard it is to change its properties.

So bring it on! Fork or shut up.

The Case for a Chain Split

bitcoin

I've never read a book more than twice. I'm not talking about books you had to study at school. 

I have read many books twice in the space of 10 years (the first time when I was in my 20s, the second time when I was in my 30s). Maybe I will read some of them a third time when I am in my 40s. 

What about you? 

Have you ever read a book more than twice? 